Brick-machine.



No. 716,46I. Patented Dec. 23, |902.

W. C. McELHENY.

BnlcKmAcmNe.

(Application led Nov. 23, 1901.)

6 Sheds-Sheet. I.

(No Model.)

IMI.

n i M ma Nonms Perses co, PnuTo-uwo. WASHINGTON. nA c.

Patented Dec. 23, |902.

BRICK MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 23. 1901.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

*,n: N onms Ps1-sns cn. Puowvuwo., WASHINGTON n cv Patented Dec. 23,|902.

6 Sllets--Sheef 3.

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@L Mad@ No. 7l6,46|.

W. C. MCELHENY. BRICK MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 23, 1901.)

(Nu Modem Patented Dec. 23, |902.

No. 716.46I.`

W. C. MGELHENY.

BRICK MACHINE.

(Application iled Nov. 23, 1901.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

In 12e for.A

ma Nonms PETERS co, PHoTauTno. wnsumomn. n. c.

Patented Dec. 23, V1902.

No, 7l6,46|.

W. C. MGELHENY.

BRICK MACHINE.

(Applicatqn filed Nov. 23, 1901.)

i 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

New

Inl/en fa 7^. MJL., c uw @fr ffarrzezs Patented Dec. 23, |902.

No. 7i6,46l.

w. c. MQELH'ENY.

BRICK MACHINE.

(Application med Nov. 2s, 1901i) (No Model.)

c M ffm 1m: Ncnms vm'nws co. PHOTO-uwe. wAsmNsraN.

Ilaria @rares ArtNr OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. MCELI-IENY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

sanciona/roman.

SPEUFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '7 16,461, datedDecember 23, 1902. Application led November 28, 191. Serial No. 83,363.(No model) To all whom, it may con/cern:

Beit known that LWILLIAM O MCELHENY, a resident of Pittsburg, in thecounty of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Brick-Machines; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof. y

My invention relates to brick molding and pressing machines and thelike, and more especially to automatic machines of the type having arotating table which carries a series of molds.

The objects of my invention are to provide a machine of this kind withyielding means, which will prevent breakage in case too much material isfed into the molds or a hard object is contained therein; to simplifythe means for rotating the table and the means for actuating theindexing means for the rotating table; to provide a push-out rod; toprovide improved means for regulating the amount of material fed to themolds; to provide an improved cut-off for the material be-v ing fed tothe molds; to provide means for retracting the mold-plungers in casethey should stick and to support said plungers until they reach theplace where the molds are to be filled and then release the same, and toprovide means for heating the moldplungers, so as to prevent the clay orother material from sticking to the same.

Throughout the following specification I shall refer to my machine as abrick-making machine; but it is adapted for molding any kind of articlesfrom clay or other plastic materialsuch as large-sized building andpaving blocks, tiles, or similar articles-and it will be understood thatthe invention may be applied to any of these uses.

One type of automatic brick-molding machine as now constructed isprovided with a horizontal rotating table carrying a series of moldshaving plungers working therein. These machines are provided with apressureplate adjacent to one side of the rotating mold table or plateand on the opposite side of the table with toggle-links, which force theplungers into the molds and compress the brick or other article againstthe resistance of the pressure-plate. Should too much material be fed toa mold or should a hard substance find its way into a mold, there isliability of breaking some part of the machine. One of the objects of myinvention is to avoid this difculty and to provide means which willyield in such cases, and thus avoid breaking the machine.Preferablysuchyieldingmeans comprises a strong spiral spring or springsbetween the bed-plate and a bolster, to which the lower end of thetoggle-links is connected. In this type of machine it is usual to mountthe rotating table on a vertical shaft, which is provided withratchet-teeth, and to pivot around said shaft a ratchet-lever forintermittently rotating the shaft and mold table or plate. It is alsothe practice to have a horizontal shaft having a crank or eccentricconnected by a rod to the toggle-links, another crank or eccentricconnected by a rod to the ratchet-lever, and a third eccentric or crankconnected by a rod to suitable levers for actuating a push-outplunger-that is, theplunger for ejecting the brick or other article fromthe mold. This results in fairlycomplicated mechanism, and especiallythe connection between the horizontal shaft and the ratchet-lever is acumbersome one by reason of the crank of the shaft rotating in avertical plane, While the ratchet-lever swings in a horizontal plane.This makes it necessary to provide the connecting means with severaluniversal couplings or joints, which soon become loose, so thatconsiderable lost motion results. This is detrimental, because themold-table should be stepped forward accurately at each movement.

Another object of my invention is to simplify this mechanism, and tothis end I actuate the push-out rod directly from the togglelinks whichactuate the main plunger, thus omitting one of the connections to themain drive-shaft. I also actuate the ratchet-lever .from a verticalshaft instead of from the main shaft itself, thereby permitting the useof a rigid connecting-rod between the eccentric or crank on the shaftand the ratchet-lever. This gives more positive connection and one whichis not so liable to wear and result in lost motion. As a consequence themold-table will be moved accurately into position under thefeeding-spout. To prevent the table being accidentally moved out ofproper position, I provide an indexing-bolt or simi- ICO lar means,which will lock the table in place while the molds are being filled andthe bricks pressed and ejected. In machines of this character themold-plungers work in a horizontal direction, and they are permitted todrop by gravity or else are pulled down by a hook or latch connected tothe push-out plunger. In the former case they are liable to stick and inthe latter case the mechanism is very unreliable. I provide suitablespring mechanism for this purpose which is not open to either of theabove defects. Furthermore,

in former machines of this type these moldplungers were either drawndown or permitted to drop as soon as the brick or other article wasejected. Inasmuch as they must be permitted a downward movement equal tothe largest-sized brick or block to be molded, it follows that forsmaller sizes they must again be raised before the clay or othermaterial is fed into the mold. This has led to much inconvenience.

Another object of my invention is to overcome this inconvenience, and tothis end I provide a latch or latches for each mold-plunger, which is 0rare adapted to engage the plunger or projections thereon and holdv thesame in elevated position until the plunger has reached the positionwhere the mold is to be filled, when the latches are automaticallyknocked off and the plunger allowed to drop upon an vadjustableabutment, which determines the amount of material which can be fed intothe mold, and consequently the sizes of the articles to be molded. Ialso provide improved means for adjusting this abutment, which means aresimple, positive, and easily accessible. I also provide means forcutting off the supply of material to the molds when they are filled, sothat in the rotation of the table the clay or other material will notbear thereon, thus relieving it of friction. As soon, however, as anempty mold is brought under the feeding-spout the cut-off is withdrawnto prevent the filling of the mold.

In brick-molding machines and the like there is danger of the clay orother material sticking to the molds or plungers, so that the moldedarticle cannot be ejected cleanly and in perfect condition, thusresulting in a damaged article.

A further object of my invention is to overcome this defect, and to thisend I provide means for heating the molds and plungers, which I findwill prevent the clay or other material adhering thereto. This heatingmay be done by any hot Huid-such as steam, hot air, or hot gas-andpreferably I conduct the hotfluid through the plunger,thereby directlyheating the latter and heating the adjacent mold parts by radiation anddirect contact with the plungers.

My invention further comprises improvements in details of constructionof machines of this character, as will hereinafter be fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved machine, parts being broken away. Fig. 2 is a plan view of thesame,the pressure-plate and moldcarrying plate or table being removed.Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the main part of the machine. Fig.AI is a top plan view of the machine, the driving parts being omitted.Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the means for adjusting thefeed-regulating abutment. Fig. 6 is a side elevation illustrating theindexing means and cut-off, other parts being omitted. Fig. 7 is asectional detailshowing the indexing means. Fig. 8 is a detail plan viewof the stirrup for actuating the cut-O. Fig. 9 is a side elevation,partly in section, showing a modification. Fig. 10 is another side viewof the same, and Fig. 1l is a top plan View of the same.

The machine is of the vertical type, and it may be mounted upon anysuitable table or base-plate, such as the base-plate 1, and may havepower communicatedy to it in any suitable way. As shown in the drawings,power is communicated to the main driveshaft 2, which is mounted in ahorizontal position at one end of the machine and is connected byapinion 3 to a spur-gear 4 on the main crank-shaft 5, mounted in suitablehousings at the same end of the machine and also in a horizontalposition. This shaft is provided with a crank or eccentric 6, which isconnected by a rod '7 with the toggle-links 8 for actuating the mainplunger of the machine, as will hereinafter more fully appear. On theopposite end of the shaft 5 is a bevel-gear 9, meshing with a similargear IO on the vertical shaft l1. This shaft is provided at both endswith a crank, the crank l2 at the upper end being connected by the rod13 to the outer end of the ratchet-lever 14 4for intermittently rotatingthe mold table or plate, and the crank-pin is extended, as at l5, andactuates the cut-off, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The crank16 at the lower end of the shaft Il is connected by a rod 17 anduniversal coupling-link 18' to an arm 19 on a rock-shaft 20, mounted insuitable bearings at the opposite end of the machine, which rock-shaftactuates the rake-off or discharge mechanism, as will hereinafter morefully appear. The parts thus far described constitute the driving meansfor all parts of the machine.

Rising from the base-plate at the central part of the machine are threevertical standards or columns 2l 22 22, which are united at their upperend by the pressure-plate 23, which, preferably, is of triangular form,as shown, so as to occupy a minimum of space. Surrounding the centralstandard 21 and secured to the base-plate l is a foot or step 24, andrevolubly supported upon the same around the said standard 2l is ahollow column or sleeve 25, which carries at its upper end the moldplate or table 26. A wearingwasher 27 is preferably interposed betweenthe lower end of the sleeve 25 and step 24, or,

IOO

if preferred, any suitable antifriction-bearings may be used in thisplace. These parts are preferably inclosed by a ring or band 28 toexclude dirt.

The mold-carrying table 26 is shown circular in outline and secured tothe Lipper end of the sleeve 25, so that it will revolve immediatelybelow the pressure-plate 23. This table is provided with a series ofopenings in which are secured lining-plates 29, which form the molds. Asmany of these molds may be mounted in the table 26 as convenient ordesired, four being shown in the accompanying drawings. The sleeve 25 isprovided near its middle With ratchet-teeth 30, as many teeth beingformed thereon as there are molds in the table 26, four such teeth beingshown in the drawings. The ratchetlever 14, above mentioned, ispivotally mounted around this sleeve 25,as by engaging annular shoulderson said sleeve. The lever is preferably hollow, as shown, to excludedirt, and it carries a spring-pressed pawl 31, which is adapted toalternately engage the ratchet-teeth and to slide over the same when thesaid lever is actuated by means of the connecting-rod and crank 12, aswill be readily understood. It will be observed that by having the crank12 on a vertical shaft it will rotate in the same plane in which thelever 14 oscillates, so that a rigid connecting-rod 13 can be employed.As a consequence there is very little wear and no lost motion, whichinsures the table 26 being always stepped forward positively and to justthe right point.

Vorkingin each of the molds 29 is a plunger 32, and depending from thelower sides of the table 26 on opposite sides of the mold-opening arebrackets 33, which are provided with vertical slots 34, in which slidepins 35, connected to the plungers 32 for guiding the latter andlimiting the downward movement thereof. On the two opposite sides of theplungers 32 are the projecting pins or studs 36, which engage slottedopenings in the outer ends of levers 37, pivoted at 3S to the standardor sleeve 25 and having connected thereto the vertical rods 39. Stiispiral springs are interposed between shoulders on the rods 39 and thelower side of the table 26, which springs, through the levers 37 andpins 36, will act to positively retract the plungers 32, so that thelatter cannot stick in the molds.

The molds are filled when on the side of the machine toward the maindrivingshaft,which is toward the left hand in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Theplungers 32 in this position ot' the machine are in their loweredpositions, and tov regulate the amount of material which can be fed intothe molds the said plu ngers rest upon an adjustable abutment 41, whichis slidably mounted in a suitable standard 42, rising from thebed-plate. Various means for adjusting this abutment may be employed;and I have shown for this purpose a lever 43, pivoted to the standard 42and having a slotted connection at its inner end with suitable lugs orears on the lower end of the abutment 41. Pivoted or trunnioned to theouter end of the lever 43 or between a fork formed thereon is a sleeve44, through which passes loosely the adjusting-rod 45, said rod beingprovided with suitable collars, such as the nuts 46, which engage thetop and bottom of the sleeve 44. This rod is provided at its upper endwith a hand-Wheel 47 or other suitable means for turning the same andhas its lower end screw-threaded and working in a nut 48, which ispivoted or trunnioned in a suitable bracket 49, secured to thebaseplate. By turning the hand-wheel 47 the rod will work either up ordown in the nut 48, thereby vibrating the lever 43 and elevating orlowering the abutment 41, as the case may be. The trunnioned nut 48 willswing and accommodate itself to the oscillation of the lever 43, as willbe readily understood.

The clay or other material will be fed to the molds when in the positionjust described by any suitable means-such, for instance, as by a hopperor spout 50, placed With its discharge-mouth directly above the table26. The table will be at rest while the mold is being tilled and willthereafter, by means of the ratchet and mechanism described, be moved astep forward, thereby bringing another empty mold underneath the spoutor hopper 50 and carrying the iilled mold, with its plunger, underneaththe pressure-plate 23 and with the plunger 32 in line with thetoggle-links 8. The upper toggle-link is pivotally connected to thesliding head or plunger 51, which is guided ina straight up-and-downline in suitable ways 52 on the inner end of a curved arm or bracket 53,secured to the bedplate. The straightening of the toggle-links 8 bytheconnecting-rod 7 and mechanism above described will cause the head orplunger 51 to move upward and force the moldplunger 32 upward into themold, thereby compressing the clay or other material against thepressure-plate 23 and forming the brick or other article.

In order to prevent breakage in case the mold should be overlilled orfilled with a hard substance, some yielding means should be provided,and for this purpose I have connected the lower toggle-link 8 to asaddleblock 54, mounted above the base-plate and being vertically guidedby any suitable IOC) IIO

IZO

means, as by ears thereon surrounding the standards 22. Strong spiralsprings 55 are interposed between the saddle-block 54 and the base-plate1, which springs are suiiciently strong to give the desired pressure tothe clay or other material in the mold, but will yield in case ot'excessive pressure, and thus avoid breaking the machine.

To relieve the table during its rotation of the friction of the clay orother material in the hopper or spout 50, I provide a suitable cut-olf,such as the plate or knife 56, which is adapted to slide in between thetop of the table 26 and the lower end of the hopper or spout 50, thussevering the column of clay and supporting the same during the rotationof the table. For actuating this cut-offI have shown the same connectedto the lever 57, which is pivoted at its upper end to a bracket 58 orother suitable support and which is provided at its lower end with thestirrup or loop 59, in which works the extension l of the pin on thecrank l2. The loop or stirrup 59 is oblong in form, as shown in Fig. 8,so that the crank-pin will come into contact with only two of its sides.By this means the stirrup will be moved during a'fourth revolution ofthe shaft ll and then remain atrest for an equal period, and then duringthe next fourth of a revolution of the shaft 11 it will be moved backtoits original position, when it will again remain at rest. The cut-out,it will be observed, is operated from the same crank as theratchet-lever 14, and the parts are so arranged that by the time theratchetlever has reached the end of its back stroke to grip aratchet-tooth 30 the plate 56 will have fully severed the column ofclay, and it will remain stationary during half of the forward stroke ofthe ratchet-lever and will then be withdrawn, so that by the time theratchetlever has completed its forward stroke the opening'in the hopperwill be fully opened to permit the clay to pass down into the mold. Thecut-off plate will not begin its inward movement until the ratchet-leverhas completed one-half of its back stroke, thus giving ample time forthe lling of the mold. In this way the rotating table is relieved of thefriction of the column of clay. If desired, Wearing-plates may besecured to the top of the table 26, upon which the cut-off plate 59rests during the rotation of the table.

Pivoted to the lower side of the table 26 or to the upper ends of thebrackets 33 are a pair of latches 61, which are provided with twonotches 62 and 63. These latches tend normally to hang in a verticalposition; but when the mold-plungers 32 are entirely down they will beheld slightly from the vertical position, as shown in Fig. l, by thestuds or projections 35 on the plungers. As soon, however, as themold-plungers are moved upwardly by the head or plunger 5l to compressthe clay the latches 61 will drop to a vertical position, and thenotches 62 will then engage the projections 35 on the plungers. rlhiswill prevent the plungers from again dropping or at least will permitthem to drop only a short distance, so that in the next forward movementof the table the plungers will be held up by these latches.

The table 26 will of course be at rest during the compression of theclay in the mold, and during this time another mold is being filled. Assoon as the compression and filling are completed the mold-table isrelieved of all pressure and will then be given another forward step bymeans of the ratchetmechanism described. This will move another emptymold into position below the hopper 50,

to the side of the bracket 53.

will carry the previously-filled mold above the compressing-plunger 5l,and will carry the compressed mold above the push-out or ejector rod 64.This rod lies in a vertical position and is guided in a hole or opening65 in the base-plate l and in a sleeve 66, secured This rod preferablyis made in two sections, which are adjustably connected by means of thesleeve-nut 67, so that its length can be varied as desired or necessary.Pivotally secured to the lower section of the rod 64 is a box or block68, which is embraced by a fork 69 in the end of one of the arms of thebell-crank lever 70, pivoted at 7l to the standard 53 or other suitablepart. The other arm of the bell-crank lever is connected by means of alink 72 to the pivotal point of the toggle-links 8, or it might beconnected, if desired, to the conmeeting-rod 7. The arrangement is suchthat when the toggle-links 8 are straightened to compress the clayin theone mold the push-out or ejector rod 64 will be moved upward and pushthe plunger 32 of the previously-compressed mold upward, thereby pushingthe brick or block 73 out of the mold and into the path of a dischargingmechanism or knockoff device, such as the stirrup 74. This stirrup has aslot-and-pin connection with the upper ends of arms 75, secured to therockshaft 20, before described. This shaft is rocked at the approximatetime by the mechanism heretofore described to sweep the brick or blockoff the table 26 upon a suitable belt, table, or other means.

The mold-plungers 32 are elevated by the push-out rod 64 to such anextent that the projections 35 will fall into the notches 63 of thelatches 6l, and in this position the plungers will be held and carrieduntil the mold has reached the position in which it must be againfilled. When it reaches this position, however, the plunger must belowered upon the abutment 4l, so as to permit the filling of the moldwith the required amount of material. To permit this lowering of theplunger, means must be arranged for disengaging the latches 6l from thestuds or projections 35. As a suitable means for this purpose I haveshown knock-off projections or stops 76, which lie in the path ofmovement of the latches and at such a height and in such position thatthey will engage the lower ends of the latches at the proper time, sothat in the further forward rotation of the table and mold these latcheswill be disengaged from the projections or pins 35, thereby permittingthe springs 46 and levers 37 to lower the mold-plungers until they restupon the abutment 4l. projections 76 may be mounted in any suitableway-such, for instance, as being bolted to the standard 42.

To insure the stopping of the table 26 in proper position to have themolds filled, compressed, and emptied, I provide indexing mechanism,that shown consisting of open- IOO ros

IIO

The knock-off stops or ings or recesses 77 inthe table, which areengaged by an index bolt or pin 78. This pin may be mounted in anysuitable position, and I have shown it mounted in a horizontal positionon a bar 79, secured to the columns 22. It is normally pressed towardtbe table 26 by a spring S0, interposed between the bar 79 and a crosspin or shoulder near the inner end of the index-pin. As a means forretracting the index-pin it is provided with an opening 81, into which awedge 82 or the like is projected at the proper time. This wedge may beactuated from any moving part of the machine, and I have shown itconnected to the upper end of the toggle-links 8 by the arm 33 andconnecting-piece 84. By this arrangement as the main plunger 51 nearsthe limit of its upward stroke the wedge 82 will withdraw the index-pin78 from the opening 77, thus unlocking the table 26. The wedge 82 willpass up sufficiently high to bring its straight face 85 into the opening8l, so that the plunger 51 can move downwardly somewhat before thespring 30 can move the pin 7S against the table 26. This will permit theratchet mechanism to move the table 26 to remove the opening '77 from infront of said pin, so that when the latter is permitted to move inwardit will bear against the edge of the table and spring into the nextopening 77 that comes along.

To permit the heating of the molds and their plungers, I core theplungers out, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby forming the passages S6 and87, which are separated by the middle web 88, provided at its upper endwith a hole or holes 89, forming acommunication between the passages S6and S7. The passages 86 and 87 at their lower ends are provided,respectively, with an inlet and an outlet, and a convenient way forsecuring this result is had by forming the studs or projections 35 froma tube which extends transversely through the plunger and is providedopposite the central web 88 with a block or diaphragm 90. Suitableopenings 91 and 92 are formed in the tube 35 and lead to the passages 36and S7, respectively. The projecting ends of the tubes 35 are threadedor otherwise suitably formed to receive one end of the flexible tubes orhose 93. The opposite ends of these tubes are connected to suitablenipples on the column or sleeve 25, as shown. This sleeve or column iscored out, as shown in Fig. 3, forming ports 94 and 95, respectivelycommunieating with the hose 93 at their upper ends and having theirlower ends opening out on the side face of the column 25. Surroundingthe sleeve or column 25 are a pair of manifolds 96 and 97, whichcomprise annular castings surrounding the sleeve or column and suitablysecured together, as by means of the gaskets 9S and bolts 99, in such amanner that a steam-tight joint is provided between the sleeve or column25 and these manifolds, but which will permit of the rotation of thesleeve 25 in the annular manifolds. Each of these manifolds is providedwith a channel 100, which necessarily is annular and extends entirelyaround the sleeve or column 25 and which will communicate with the ports94 and 95, cored out in said column, no matter to what position thiscolumn may be rotated. Each of the manifoldsis provided with a nipple101, which is adapted to be connected by a tube or hose to any desiredsource. One of these manifolds-as, for instance, the upper one-has itsnipple connected to a steamboiler or other source of hot fluid, Whilethe other of such manifolds-as, for instance, the lower oue--has itsnipple connected to a suitable exhaust device. The steam or the likewill then enter the upper manifold and from the channel therein willpass through the cored-out port 94 in the column 25 to the hose 93,thence to the plunger, where it will circulate up through the passageS6, down through the passage 87, and back by the opposite hose 93through the cored-out port 95 to the lower manifold, and thence to theplace of exhaust. As shown iu the drawings the column 25 is providedwith four pairs of cored-out ports 94 and 95, leading to the fourmold-plungers, respectively. lf more than four molds are provided, thecolumn will be provided with a corresponding number of pairs of thesecoredout ports and a corresponding numberof pairs of tubes 93 must beused. It will thus be seen that the manifolds remain stationary whilethe molds and their plungers rotate with the table 2G and have aconnection through the rotating column 25 with these manifolds, so thatthe mold-plungers will at all times be provided with steam or other hotfluid. The eifect of this is to heat the plungers 32, and this heat willbe communicated by radiation and direct contact to the molds 29, therebypreventing the sticking of the clay to either the plungers or the molds.

It may be desirable to brace the upright part of the machine to preventVibration. As a convenient means for this purpose the pressure-plate 23may be provided with an arm or extension 102, (Figs. 9 and 11,) whichprojects in a direction opposite to the columns 22 and is connected toany suitable support or standard, such as a column 103, similar to thecolumns 22.

In Figs. 9, 10, and 1l I have shown a modified form of the yielding orspring mechanism, and in this modification the columns 22 are mounted inthe base-plate, so that they will have aslight upandd0wn movement. Theyare guided in this movement by perforated ears 104 on the verticalstandards or castings 105, which at their upper ends are provided withsuitable ways or ears 106, which guide the pressure-plate 23 in avertical direction and prevent it from tipping. It will also benecessary to provide said pressure-plate with the arm or extension 102,projecting to the opposite side of the machine and connected to theupper end of the column 103 and guided in the manner just described. Thesprings 55 TOO are interposed between perforated ears 107 on thestandards or castings 105 and suitable shoulders or abutments, as thenuts 108, on the columns, so that in case of excessive pressure thepressure-plate 23 can yield upwardly against the tension of thesesprings. The central column 2l is also surrounded by a spring 109,interposed between the nut on the end of said column and the upper faceofthe pressure-plate.

The operation of the machine will be readily gathered from the foregoingdescription. The mold-carrying plate or table 26 is given anintermittent step-by-step movement, as described, and the molds are insuccession filled with material, carried over the presser-head 51,whereby the clay is compressed, thence over the ejector mechanism, whenthe brick is ejected, and thence back to the place of filling. When themolds are being filled, pressed, or ejected, the table is at rest andlocked by the index-pin. When the said table is being rotated, theejector, pressure mechanism, and other parts are at rest and the columnof clay is supported by the cut-off plate, so that the table ispracticallyfree from friction or strain while being rotated. The ejectormechanism and the wedge for actuating the index-pin are connecteddirectly to the toggles for working the presser head or plunger, so thata single connection from the main crank-shaft will operate all of theseparts. The ratchet mechanism for giving the stepby-step rotation to themold-table is actuated from a crank on a vertical shaft, therebypermitting a simple, direct, and positive connection between the crankand ratchet-lever, and the cut-off is operated from the same crank. Themold-plungers are positively retracted by the lever and spring mechanism37 and 40, so that they cannot stick, and they are prevented fromfalling down after being elevated by the presser-head 51 and ejector-rodby means of the latches 6l; but when they come over the feed-regulatingabutment these latches are knocked off, thereby allowing the plungers todrop. The plungers and mold, furthermore, are heated by the connectionsshown, so as to prevent sticking of the clay or other material thereto.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

l. Inabrick moldingand pressing machine,

,the combination with a frame, of a rotating mold table or plate, moldsand plungers therefor carried by said table, a feed-regulating abutmentat one side of the machine upon which the mold-plungers rest while themolds are being filled, a lever connected to said abutment, ascrew-threaded rod swiveled to the outer end of said lever, and aswinging nut with which such rod engages.

2. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold table or plate, of molds carried thereby,verticallymovable plungers in said molds, latches suspended from thetable and arranged to engage said plungers, and means for releasing saidlatches.

3. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating plate or table, of molds carried thereby, vertically-movableplungers in said molds, latches for engaging said plungers, a feedregulating abutment upon which such plu ngers rest while the molds arebeing filled, and means in advance of said abutment for releasing thelatches from the plungers.

4.-. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, of molds carried thereby,verticallymovable plun gers in said molds, slotted brackets for guidingsaid plu ngers, pins on the plungers projecting through the slots insaid brackets, latches engaging said pins, and means for releasing saidlatches.

5. In a brick molding and pressing machine,

- the com bination with a rotating mold plate or table, of molds carriedthereby, verticallymovable plungers in said molds, pins or projectionson said plungers, latches adapted tov engage said pins, afeed-regulating abutment on which the mold-plungers rest while the moldsare being filled, and stops adjacent to the abutment and lying in thepath of the lower ends of the latches fordisengaging them from the pins.

6. Inabrickmoldingandpressingmachine, the combination with a rotatingmold plate or table, of molds carried thereby, verticallymovableplungers in said molds, means for actuating said plungers to compressthe brick, means for further actuating them to eject the brick, latchesprovided with two notches for engaging the plungers and holding the sameat different heights, and means for releasing said latches.

7. In a brick molding and pressingmachine, the combination with apressure-plate, of a rotating mold plate or table, molds carriedthereby, vertically-movable plungers carried by said table andprojecting into said molds, springs arranged to depress said plungers,

and a compression-plunger adapted to engage said movable plungers tocompress the clay.

8. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with apressure-plate, of a rotating mold plate or table, molds carriedthereby, vertically-movable plungers carried by said table andprojecting into said molds, levers carried by said table and engagingsaid plungers, springs arranged to act onsaid levers to depress saidplungers, and a compression plunger adapted to engage saidvertically-movable plungers to compress the clay.

9. In a brick molding andpressing machine, the combination with a moldplate or table, of a rotating column on which it is carried,moldscarried by said plate, stationary manifolds around said column and inwhich' the latter rotates, passages cored out'in the column andcommunicating with said manifolds, connections between said passages andthe molds, and connections to said manifolds.

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10. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with a moldplate or table, of a rotating column on which it is carried, molds onsaid table, hollow plungers in said molds, two annular stationarymanifolds around said column, steam connections to said manifolds, saidcolumn having cored-out passages communicating respectively with theannular manifolds, and tubes connecting said passages with the hollowplungers.

11. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, a vertical shaft on which it is carried,aratchet-and-lever connection for rotating said shaft, molds carried bysaid table, a vertical moving compressing-plunger, toggle-links foractuating the same, a horizontal shaft having a crank or eccentric, aconnecting-rod between the same and the toggle-links, a vertical shaftgeared to said horizontal shaft and having a crank or the like, and aconnecting-rod between the same and the ratchet-lever.

12. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, of a vertical shaft on which it iscarried, ratchet-teeth formed on said shaft, said shaft being alsoprovided with annular shoulders above and below the ratchet-teeth, ahollow lever pivoted around said shaft and having inwardly-projectingHanges engaging the annular shoulders on the shaft, a pawl housed insaid lever and arranged to engage the ratchet-teeth, and means foroscillating Said lever.

13. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, of molds carried thereby, compressingmechanism operating in conjunction therewith, means for rotating saidtable, a spring-pressed index-pin arranged to coperate with openings insaid table, and connections between the compressing mechanism and theindex-pin for periodically withdrawing the latter.

14. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, of molds carried thereby, acompressing-plunger, toggle-links for actuating the same, aspring-pressed index-pin arranged to coperate with openings in saidtable, a wedge for withdrawing said index-pin, and connections betweenthe toggle-links and said wedge for actuating the same.

15. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, of molds carried thereby,means forrotating the table, an index-pin arranged to cooperate with openings insaid table, a compression-plunger, means for actuating saidcompression-plunger, and connections between said plunger-actuatingmeans and the index-pin for withdrawing the latter.

16. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, of a compression-plunger, toggle-links foractuating the same, a push-out or ejector rod, an index-pin, andconnections between the toggle-links and push-out rod and ejector-pin,respectively, for actuating the same.

17. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, of molds carried thereby,ratchet-and-lever mechanism for rotating said table, a crank andconnecting rod for actuating said ratchet mechanism, a feeding trough orhopper, a cnt-off therefor, and a stirrup connected to said cut-olf andembracing the crank from which the ratchet-lever is operated.

18. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating mold plate or table, of a vertical shaft on which it iscarried, ratchet-and-lever mechanism for rotating the same, of acompression-plunger, toggle-links for actuating the same, anejector-rod, a rake-off mechanism, a main driveshaft, connectionsbetween the same and the toggle-links and ejector-rod for actuating thesame, a vertical counter-shaft connected to the main shaft, andconnections between the same and the ratchet-lever and the rake-offmechanism respectively.

19. In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with asuitable base, offcolumns supported thereon, a rotating mold plate ortable, a pressure-plate above the same secured to the upper ends of saidcolumns, standards or frames engaging said plate for steadying the same,a compressionplunger for the molds, toggle-links for actuating the same,and springs arranged to permit the plunger and pressure-plate to yieldwith reference to each other.

2). In a brick molding and pressing machine, the combination with arotating plate or table, molds carried thereby, a pressureplate abovethe same, guiding and steadying frames therefor, a compression-plungerfor the molds, a toggle for actuating said plunger, vertical columns towhich the pressureplate is secured, and springs between thesteadying-frames and shoulders on the columns to permit thepressure-plate to yield.

In testimony whereof I, thc said WILLIAM C. MCELHENY, have hereunto setmy hand.

WILLIAM C. MOELI-IENY.

Witnesses:

F. W. WINTER, ROBERT C. ToTTnN.

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